Committed to Connecting the World
Presented by
Bill McCrum
Consultant
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Committed to Connecting the World
What is a M utual R ecognition
A greement/ A rrangement ( MRA )?
An agreement/arrangement between participating countries/member states that agree to use trusted conformity assessment procedures.
Agreement implies legally binding between the parties with ratification by duly authorized authorities of the member state
Arrangement implies less formal basis for the cooperation but with specified procedures for engagement and disengagement
Participation is voluntary ; however, participating countries have certain rights and obligations .
Allows Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) in participating countries to test (Phase I) or certify (Phase II) telecom products to the importing country’s requirements
Limited to conformity assessment procedures and does not attempt to address the issue of standards
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Committed to Connecting the World
Test results, and/or
Product approvals
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Committed to Connecting the World
Government to government
Accreditation Bodies to Accreditation
Bodies
Limited to conformity assessment
Mutual acceptance of test reports
Mutual acceptance of equipment certifications
Multi-lateral and bilateral
Multi-sector and single sector
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Committed to Connecting the World
Scope: equipment subject to mandatory telecommunication requirements
Coverage: EMC, Electrical Safety, Telecom
Phases:
Phase I -- acceptance of test results
Phase II -- acceptance of equipment certification
CABs: testing laboratories certification bodies
Competence: determined using ISO/IEC Guides/Standard
17025, 17011& Guide 65, plus appropriate technical regulations
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Committed to Connecting the World
To Suppliers :
- Products may be shipped directly to foreign markets without any further requirements for testing and/or certification, thereby reducing costs and time to market
- Estimates of savings are up to $100K per product type approved, and up to 6 months in time to market
- Facilitates trade by promoting market access
- Reduces and minimizes non-tariff trade barriers
- Promotes competition
- Shortens the time for manufacturers to introduce their products into the importing countries

Committed to Connecting the World
To Service Providers and Users
larger selection of products in marketplace
- new products appear earlier in home markets
- potentially lower cost of products
- greater marketplace stability through established regulatory system and technical standards
To Regulators
- reduction in wait times for regulatory processes
- choice of CABs for certification services, hence reduced burden on national regulator
- potential to privatize testing and certification services
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Committed to Connecting the World
To RES 76 implementation and Council
Decisions
- promotes establishment of stable regulatory regimes
- promotes establishment of sharing and networking among telecom agencies of the region
- promotes building expertise through information sharing and interactions in negotiating and implementing MRAs
- provides choice of testing and certification services
- provides a framework whereby countries can become users or providers of test and certification services tuned to their individual state of development/readiness
- provides a concrete focus for addressing the digital divide and knowledge/expertise disparity in the regions
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Committed to Connecting the World
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Committed to Connecting the World
Some Existing MRAs on Conformity
Asessment covering Telecoms and EMC
InterAmerican MRA on Conformity Assessment
(CA) – 34 countries
Canada/US/EU MRA on CA – 29 countries
APEC TEL MRA on CA – 21 economies
Canada/US/EFTA MRA on CA – 5 countries
Canada/US/SWISS MRA on CA – 3 countries
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Committed to Connecting the World
Conformity assessment is the evaluation of products, processes or services to determine the extent to which assurance may be given that they fulfill specified requirements
Conformity assessment may take the form of
Sampling, testing and inspection
Evaluation, verification and assurances of conformity
Registration, accreditation and approval
Combination of the above
No one right approach
Type of product
Perceived risk of non-compliance
Approaches differ among countries
Multiple approaches within each country, especially when there is more than one Regulatory Authority
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Committed to Connecting the World
Is a conformity assessment system necessary?
A conformity assessment system is not necessary in all cases.
What is Suppliers Declaration of Conformity and how it used?
SDoC is an internationally recognized procedure where the supplier tests to the applicable regulations and labels the product before it is placed on the market. In many cases, this procedure provides an acceptable level of assurance of compliance for most products. In some instances, use of an accredited laboratory is required.
What is certification and how is it currently used?
Certification is a bilateral approval system which requires the supplier to submit a product for testing and approval to the regulator or a government recognized testing and/or approval center. Participation in a
MRA requires the regulator to amend its legislative authority and rules to allow the private sector to test (Phase I) and/or approve ( Phase II) a product before it is marketed.
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Committed to Connecting the World
Conformity Assessment
Bodies
Accreditation Body
(ISO/IEC 17011)
Accreditation
Body (ISO/IEC 17011)
Testing Laboratory
(ISO/IEC 17025)
Certification Body
(ISO/IEC Guide 65)
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Committed to Connecting the World
Present situation
Exporting country
Manufacture Export Testing
Importing country
Certification Marketing
Mutual Recognition of Test Reports
Exporting country Importing country
Manufacture Testing Export Certification Marketing
Mutual Recognition of Certification
Manufacture
Exporting country
Testing Certification Export
Importing country
Marketing
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Committed to Connecting the World
Introduction
Purpose of the agreement
General Provisions
Definitions and Interpretations
Scope
Designating Authorities
Designation of CABs and Appointment of ABs
Recognition of CABs and Mutual Acceptance of the Results of CA
Procedures
Verification of CABs
Commencing the Agreement and Initiating Participation in Phase
I or Phase II Procedures
Information Exchange
Joint Committee
Additional Provisions
Confidentiality
Preservation of Regulatory Authority
Fees
Amendment and Termination of Agreement
Final Provisions
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Committed to Connecting the World
Contents of typical MRA Appendices
I.
A.
Appendix A
Common Requirements
B.
Designation of Testing Laboratories
C.
Designation of Certification Bodies
II.
Appendix B – Phase I procedures for mutual recognition of testing laboratories as CABs and mutual acceptance of test results
A.
Scope
B.
C.
Designation and Recognition of CABs
Participation in Phase I Procedures
D.
Transition Periods
E.
Mutual Acceptance of Test Reports
F.
Processing of Applications
G.
Suspension of Mutual Recognition and Acceptance Obligations
III.
Appendix C – Phase II procedures for mutual recognition of certification bodies as CABs and mutual acceptance of equipment certifications
A.
A-G Same as above, except change Phase I to Phase II and testing to certification
IV.
Annexes I – Annexes IV
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Committed to Connecting the World
Annex I – List of the Technical Regulations and requirements for Each Participating Country
Annex II – List of Name and Address of Each
Designating Authority and Accreditation Body for
Each Participating Country
Annex III – List of Name and Address of Each
CAB Designated by Each Participating Country
Annex IV – List of Name and Address of Each
CAB or MRAs by AB Recognized by Each
Participating Country
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Committed to Connecting the World
Bill McCrum
Consultant tsbworkshops@itu.int